Hydrocortisone sodium succinate injection U.S.P.

Hydrocortisone sodium succinate injection (Solu-Cortef)

Category:

Miscellaneous

Description:

Anti-inflammatory adrenocortical steroid

Indications:

Congenital hyperplasia, bursitis, epicondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus, pemphigus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, severe psoriasis, mycosis, fungoides
Bronchial asthma, dermatitis, serum sickness, hypersensitivity reacitions, iritis, keratitis
Ulcerative colitis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, erythroblastopenia

Contraindications:

Premature infants
Systemic fungal infections

Precautions:

Pregnancy category
Corneal perforation may occur in patients with ocular herpes simplex
Psychic derangements may occur

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

sodium/fluid retention, hypertension, hypokalemic alkalosis, loss of muscle mass
aseptic necrosis of femoral/humoral heads, tendon rupture, thin skin, petechiae
menstrual irregularities, decreased carbohydrate tolerance, glaucoma, exophthalmos
pigmentation changes, negative nitrogen balance

Dosage:

Administered intravenously, intramuscularly

Initial dose 100mg or 500mg, depending upon severity of the condition; may repeat dose at intervals of 2, 4, or 6 hours as indicated by patient response.
Dose may be reduced in infants and children, but it is governed more by the severity of the condition and response of the patient than by age or body weight but should not be less than 25mg daily.
Usual dosage does not extend past 48 to 72 hours.
Prophylactic antacid therapy may be indicated to reduce likelihood of peptic ulceration.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300